ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Competition Commission of India
CCI penalises firms found guilty of bid rigging and cartelization in Indian Railways tenders
The Competition Commission of India  issued a final order against eleven  companies/ firms which were found to have contravened the provisions of Sections 3, 3, 3 and 3 read with Section 3 of the Competition Act, 2002 , which proscribe anti-competitive agreements. The case was initiated on the basis of a reference filed on behalf of the North Western Railways.
CCI found these companies/ firms to have indulged in cartelisation in the supply of High Performance Polyamide Bushes  and Self Lubricating Polyester Resin Bushes  to the Indian Railways by means of directly or indirectly determining prices, allocating tenders, controlling supply and market, co-ordinating bid prices and manipulating the bidding process. The evidence in the matter included regular e-mail communications and WhatsApp exchanges between the parties, quoting of identical/ similar prices by certain parties, filing of bids from same IP addresses by certain parties in close proximity etc. Of the eleven  entities, four  were lesser penalty applicants before the CCI. Under Section 46 of the Act, a cartel member may approach the Commission by way of filing an application seeking lesser penalty, in return for providing full, true and vital disclosures in respect of the alleged cartel to the Commission.
Further, fourteen  individuals of these eleven  entities were also held by the CCI to be liable for the anti-competitive conduct of their respective companies/ firms, in terms of the provisions of Section 48 of the Act.
CCI imposed penalties @5% of the average turnover/ income upon the companies/ firms and their respective individuals found guilty of violating the provisions of the Act. Giving benefit of reduction in penalty under the provisions of Section 46 of the Act of 80% to first lesser penalty applicant and its individuals, 40% to second lesser penalty applicant, 30% to third lesser penalty applicant and its individuals, and 20% to fourth lesser penalty applicant and its individuals, CCI directed the parties to pay penalties totaling to approx. INR 1.16 crores, besides issuing a cease-and-desist order.
The order was passed in Ref. Case No. 03 of 2018 and a copy of the order is available at CCI website at www.cci.gov.in.
Ministry of Finance
Launch of Invoice Incentive Scheme “Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar” from 1st September, 2023
‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar’ initiative to encourage culture of customers asking for invoices/bills for all purchases
The Government of India, in association with State Governments, is launching an ‘Invoice incentive Scheme’ by the name ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar’ to encourage the culture of customers asking for invoices/bills for all purchases.
The objective of the scheme is to bring a cultural and behavioural change in the general public to ‘Ask for a Bill’ as their right and entitlement.
The details of the Scheme are as under:
- The Scheme will be launched on 1st September, 2023.
- This scheme will initially be launched as a pilot in the States of Assam, Gujarat & Haryana and UTs of Puducherry, Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.
- All B2C invoices issued by GST registered suppliers  to consumers will be eligible for the scheme. Minimum value for invoices to be considered for a lucky draw has been kept at Rs. 200.
- Invoices can be uploaded on Mobile Application ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar’ available on IOS and Android as well as on web portal ‘web.merabill.gst.gov.in’
- All residents of India will be eligible to participate in this Scheme irrespective of their State/UT. Maximum 25 invoices can be uploaded by an individual on App/web portal in a month to be considered for lucky draw.
- For each uploaded invoice an Acknowledgement Reference Number  will be generated which will be used for the draw of prizes.
- Winning invoices will be picked by a method of random draw at regular intervals .
- Periodicity of draw and prize structure:
|
|
Frequency
|
|
No. of Prizes
|
|
Prize Money in Rs
|
|
Monthly
|
|
800
|
|
10,000
|
|
10
|
|
10,00,000
|
|
Quarterly

|
|
2
|
|
1,00,00,000
- All B2C invoices issued during the previous month which have been uploaded on the application by 5th of the next month will be eligible for the monthly draw.
- For Bumper prize, a quarterly draw will be conducted for all invoices uploaded in the last 03 months  will be considered.
- At the time of uploading the invoice, the participants would be required to provide the following details:
|
|
S.No.
|
|
Particulars
|
|
1
|
|
GSTIN of supplier
|
|
2
|
|
Invoice Number
|
|
3
|
|
Invoice Date
|
|
4
|
|
Invoice Value
|
|
5
|
|
State/UT of the customer
- Duplicate uploads and invoices with inactive or fake GSTIN will be rejected by the system.
- Alert/Notification to the winners will be made through SMS/push Notification on the app/web portal only.
- Winning person will be requested to provide some additional information like PAN number, Aadhar Card, Bank Account Details, etc, through the app/web portal, within a period of 30 days from such date of informing them , for enabling transfer of the winning prize to them through the said bank account.
- This Pilot Scheme will run for a period of 12 months.
Ministry of Steel
Enhancement of Steel Production in Eastern India
The Ministry of Steel has launched 'Purvodaya' initiative, encompassing development of Integrated Steel Hubs in Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. Purvodaya aims to focus on development of the Eastern region by setting up green field and brown field steel plants for capacity addition, development of steel clusters near Integrated Steel Plants as well as demand centres and transformation of logistics and utilities infrastructure.
This Information was given by the Union Minister for Steel Shri Dharmendra Pradhan in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
Phone call between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and H.E. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke on phone today with H.E. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic.
The two leaders discussed the ongoing situation in Ukraine. They shared their concerns over continuing hostilities and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s consistent appeal for cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue and diplomacy. He stressed India's belief that respect for international law, the UN Charter and the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states underpin the contemporary world order.
The Prime Minister welcomed the talks between the two parties and stressed upon the importance of ensuring free and uninterrupted humanitarian access and smooth movement of all people.
Prime Minister also briefed President Macron about India's efforts to evacuate its citizens from the conflict areas and to send urgent relief supplies, including medicines for the affected populations.
Election Commission
ECI Advisory to media – Refrain from telecasting/publishing programmes wrt prediction of results in any form during the prohibited period
The Election Commission of India has issued an advisory to all the media  to refrain from telecasting/publishing programmes which in any way whatsoever predict the results of the elections during the prohibited period under 126A to ensure free, fair and transparent election.
The Commission is of the view that prediction of results of elections in any form or manner by way of predictions etc. by Astrologers, Tarot Readers, Political Analysts or by any persons during the prohibited period is violation of the spirit of Section 126A which aims to prevent the electors of constituencies still going to polls from being influenced in their voting by such predictions about the prospects of the various political parties.
All the media  are advised not to publish/publicize any such article/programme related to the dissemination of results, during the prohibited period i.e. between 7.00 AM on 11.04.2019  and upto 6.30 PM on 19.05.2019  in the current General Elections to the Lok Sabha and State legislative assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha & Sikkim, 2019 and the Assembly bye-elections being held in several states.
Copy of the advisory is attached herewith
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
I&B Minister says NDRF Rescue & Relief operations in the earthquake devastated Turkey widely lauded worldwide
“Today, we don’t look to the world for any help; the world looks at India as a Land of Opportunities”: Shri Anurag Thakur
Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur today said the Rescue & Relief work being done by the National Disaster Response Force  in the earthquake devastated Turkey has been widely lauded worldwide.
“There was a time when India used to take help and services, today we have extended cooperation  in the New India, India’s capabilities and stature has changed, and this reflective of the Transforming India, an empowered India,” said Shri Thakur, while addressing the media at a book release function in New Delhi.
Shri Thakur said, when the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi says this is not an Age of War, the World pays attention. “Today, we don’t look to the world for any help; the world looks at India as a Land of Opportunities, whether it be the International Solar Alliance or our Mission Life. Even during the Covid pandemic, Government introduced reforms across sectors. And in Defence , we have achieved exports worth Rs.15,000 crore. And in next three years we aim for $5 Billion exports,” he said.
Shri Thakur said, in the time of crisis, we have extended help everywhere, whether in Nepal, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka etc, we are scaling new heights under the leadership of PM Modi. During the Ukraine war, India rescued more than 21,000 students including some from 18 neighbouring countries, he said.
“Operation Ganga was challenging, - pulling out thousands of students from the War Zone amidst firing, raining missiles and blasts, was Mission Impossible. But PM Modi made it a success. Scenes were witnessed when several foreign students waved the Indian Tricolour to be rescued,” he said.
Shri Thakur said, this was not the first instance of largescale evacuation.
“In Syria, Libya & even during the Nepal earthquake, or in Afghanistan, where even the Big Powers found it difficult to operate, India under the leadership of PM Modi, India has set an example following the principle of ‘Vasudaiva Kutumbakam’,” he said.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
India-EU conclude 1st round of negotiations for India-EU Trade and Investment Agreements;
2nd round of negotiations scheduled to take place in September 2022 at Brussels
India and the European Union concluded the first round of negotiations for India-EU Trade and Investment Agreements, including the Geographical Indicators , in New Delhi last evening. India’s FTA negotiations were led by Chief Negotiator Ms. Nidhi Mani Tripathi, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce and EU was represented by its Chief Negotiator, Mr. Christophe Kiener.
The week-long negotiations were held in a hybrid fashion – with some of the teams meeting in Delhi and the majority of officials joining virtually hybrid fashion. During this Round 52 technical Sessions covering 18 policy areas of FTA and 7 Sessions on Investment Protection and GIs were held.
The second round of negotiations is scheduled to take place in September 2022 at Brussels.
The negotiations were launched by Shri Piyush Goyal Minister for Commerce & Industry and European Commission’s Executive Vice President Mr. Valdis Dombrovskis at Brussels last month.
India’s bilateral trade with EU amounted to USD 116.36 billion in 2021-22. Despite the global disruptions, the bilateral trade achieved an impressive annual growth of 43.5% in 2021-22. Currently EU is India’s second largest trading partner after US, and the second largest destination for Indian exports. The trade agreement with EU would help India in further expanding and diversifying its exports of goods and services, including securing the value chains. Both sides are aiming for the trade negotiations to be broad-based, balanced, and comprehensive, based on the principles of fairness and reciprocity.
Ministry of Home Affairs
FORENSIC LABORATORIES IN THE COUNTRY
As per available information, apart from the facilities in 7 Central Forensic Science Laboratories for forensic examination of technical and electronic evidence, Cyber forensic-cum-training laboratories have been commissioned in 33 States / Union Territories, namely, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Odisha, Sikkim, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu, Punjab, Tripura, Puducherry, Chandigarh, J&K, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Manipur, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Delhi. A National Cyber Forensic Science Laboratory has been set up at the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory, Hyderabad to investigate important cases of digital fraud / cyber forensics.
The Government has approved a Scheme for Modernization of Forensic Capacities, which, inter-alia, will provide assistance to States/ Union Territories to develop high quality forensic science facilities with modern machinery and equipment, including cyber-forensics. Setting up of new facilities is an ongoing process and a function of demand and requirements in each State/ Union Territory. The capacity addition in Forensic Science Laboratories will strengthen the mechanism to deal with cyber-crimes in a comprehensive and coordinated manner.
A total of Rs. 6.21 crore, Rs. 7.60 crore, Rs. 9.11 crore and Rs. 25.71 crore have been released/ utilized in the years 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 respectively to raise the status of the present forensic laboratories and to establish such new laboratories. No fund was released in the FY 2018-19. Funds are allocated as per requirement in the annual budget.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Ajay Kumar Mishra in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
Prime Minister's Office
PM chairs High-level meeting to review the COVID-19 pandemic situation and status of vaccination drive in the country
PM lauds the collaborative efforts by Union and State Governments along with active participation of citizens in tackling the virus
PM appreciates relentless efforts put in by Vaccinators and Healthcare Workers
PM underlines significance of following COVID related protocols
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today chaired a high-level meeting to review the COVID-19 pandemic situation particularly in the context of the Omicron wave and the status of the vaccination drive in the country.
A detailed presentation on the global scenario and India’s status of COVID-19 was given. India’s consistent efforts towards the vaccination campaign and an analysis of vaccine effectiveness to aid the lesser hospitalization and low severity and mortality during the recent surge was highlighted. It emerged in the review that pro-active and collaborative efforts led by the Central Government helped in effective management of the spread of infection. It was also noted that India’s pandemic response and vaccination efforts have been lauded globally by W.H.O, United Nations, International Monetary Fund as well as in the reports of Harvard Business School and Institute for Competitiveness.
Prime Minister appreciated the relentless efforts put in by Vaccinators, Healthcare Workers, Central and State Governments. Prime Minister underlined the significance of following the COVID related protocols and urged continued support from community and participation of the individuals to get vaccinated when due and follow the COVID appropriate behaviour.
The meeting was attended by the Home Minister, Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare and Member  NITI Aayog along with other senior officials.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Market Access Initiative Scheme to assist EPCs, Trade Bodies, Commodity Boards
Under the Market Access Initiative  Scheme, assistance is given to Export Promotion Councils, Trade Bodies, Commodity Boards, etc. for undertaking various export facilitation and promotion activities. The details of the activities approved under the MAI Scheme and the funds utilised under the Scheme since FY 2019-20 till date are as under:
|
|
Financial Year
|
|
No. of activities approved
|
|
Fund allocated for the Scheme 
|
|
Fund utilised

|
|
2019-20
|
|
490
|
|
325.00
|
|
325.00
|
|
2020-21
|
|
240
|
|
171.40
|
|
171.40
|
|
2021-22
|
|
424
|
|
140.00
|
|
140.00
|
|
2022-23 
|
|
522
|
|
190.00
|
|
159.91
The funds released under the Scheme since 2019-20 to the Carpet Export Promotion Council , the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts , and the Handloom Export Promotion Council , which mainly cater to the cottage industries and handicraft units are as under:
|
|
MAI Assistance released 
|
|
Financial Year
|
|
CEPC
|
|
EPCH
|
|
HEPC
|
|
2019-20
|
|
10.55
|
|
8.91
|
|
2.27
|
|
2020-21
|
|
2.38
|
|
5.01
|
|
1.75
|
|
2021-22
|
|
0
|
|
0.84
|
|
0.08
|
|
2022-23

|
|
5.34
|
|
2.64
|
|
3.20
The Indian Trade Portal , developed and maintained by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations , caters to the needs of EXIM community. The facilitation provided by the Indian Trade Portal to the exporters includes product-wise countries tariff/preferential tariff information applicable for Indian products, rules of origin, market access requirements, Export-Import policy, export benefits, etc. Further, the Trade/Tender Queries are published by the Indian Missions abroad on the portal to enable Indian exporters to get maximum benefits out of it.
This information has been given by the Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Smt. Anupriya Patel in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Steel
RINL Launches ‘Safety Is My Responsibility’ Campaign as part of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” Celebrations
As part of the continuous initiatives being taken by RINL-Visakhapatnam Steel Plant to inculcate a culture of Safety among all the stakeholders including Employees and Contract Workmen, RINL has launched a campaign today with the motto ‘Safety Is My Responsibility’ as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Celebrations.
Shri A. K Saxena, Director , RINL launched the campaign by pasting stickers of ‘Safety is my Responsibility’ on the helmet of the youngest employee of RINL, Mr. K Rajababu, Field Assistant,SMS-1 Dept., in presence of Shri Abhijit Chakraborty ,CGM -I/c, Chief General Managers and HODs of the plant. Badges with the message ‘Safety is my Responsibility’ were also pinned on the pockets of all CGMs of work division also, as part of the launch event.
As part of the plant wide campaign, RINL will be counseling employees and contract workmen alike on the importance of Safety and how it can be implemented as a value. This campaign is part of the many initiatives taken by RINL, like implementation of Online Monitoring and tracking systems for Safety Belts, conducting of online training programs and examinations for all employees on the ‘Safety Guidelines for Steel Sector’ issued by Ministry of Steel and plant wide Housekeeping activities.
Shri A. K. Saxena, Director , RINL distributed prizes to employees who brought laurels to RINL at all India level Safety Competitions conducted by Joint Committee on Safety, Health & Environment in Steel Industry , Ranchi.
Ms. Priyanka Pal, Deputy manager , Special bar mill dept won First Prize in Essay Competition, Shri G. Paul Manohar, Manager , Special bar mill dept won the third Prize in Essay Competition and Ms Ayantia Roy, Senior Manager, Corporate strategic management dept won the Third prize in Essay Writing competition at All India level.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
EASING THE PROCESS OF FILING PATENTS
The details of patents filed in India over the last five years is as below:
|
|
Financial Year
|
|
2016-17
|
|
2017-18
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2019-20
|
|
2020-21
|
|
2021-22

|
|
No. of applications filed
|
|
45444
|
|
47854
|
|
50659
|
|
56267
|
|
58503
|
|
51940
The number of patents filed by Indians in India over the last five years is as under, which shows steady increase:
|
|
Financial Year
|
|
2016-17
|
|
2017-18
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2019-20
|
|
2020-21
|
|
2021-22

|
|
No. of applications
filed
|
|
10978
|
|
14284
|
|
16276
|
|
20824
|
|
24284
|
|
21104
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri Som Parkash, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
AYUSH
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions of Ontario province of Canada visits All India Institute of Ayurveda in Delhi.
Shows keen interest in institute’s data-based research, community health services
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions of Ontario province recently visited All India Institute of Ayurveda in Delhi, feels that propagation of Ayurveda in Canada can help ease the burden of hospitals in Canada as Ayurvedic therapies, principles and lifestyle can keep many diseases at bay. The Canadian delegation led by Mr Michael Tibollo & Canada India Foundation  visited All India Institute of Ayurveda .
Impressed with the facilities of AIIA, Mr Michael Tibollo said," The institute helped me to deepen my knowledge and understanding of the importance of East and West medicines and saw here the two can work together for the betterment of mankind. In Canada, we are much focussed on quick results. Many a times, we forget about prevention, education and doing things that lead us to a better lifestyle. Many doctors over here shared their time with me today. They explained to me how interventions using ancient techniques that are tried and proven and have been around for millions of years can reduce the need for acute medicine and acute care in a hospital setting".
“With the help of the Canada India Foundation, we believe that the day is not far away when an institution propagating the knowledge of Ayurveda will be set up there in Canada. We are happy to share data-based evidence with Mr Tibollo and wish that he can present it to the government over there", said Director, AIIA Professor  Tanuja Manoj Nesari during her meeting with the delegation.
The delegation took a round of the institute and hospital as well as laboratories and other facilities to understand the integrative model adopted by AIIA. The official delegation from Canada was also facilitated by Ministry of Ayush. Director AIIA, New Delhi explained the functioning of different departments including the OPDs, the tertiary care unit, the academic block and the research centre of All India Institute of Ayurveda. A team from All India Institute of Ayurveda also showcased the facilities around the academic and the hospital wing of the institute before the delegation.